Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-01-28
The Big coulee Country.

The country between Devils Lake
and Cando, OAK, isone having many
points of interest. Once away from
the town we have to our left the
briny waters of that remarkable body
Of water, Devils Lake, aud to the
right, nine miles away, Freshwater
Lake, surrounding which is most
excellent country well occupied ny
industrious settlers. This lake, as its
name implies, is of pure, fresh water
and quito large, with fine growth
of timber along its shores. Here is II
favorite resort of the disciples of the
rod and gun. Geese, ducks and branl
are plenty in season, and the RULED
grouse, or prairie chickens, as they
are called here, are abundant at all
times, as indeed they are all over Da-
kota. We soon come TO Grand Har-
Dor a thriving little village built
since the track was laid in June. The
country hereabouts was about the
first taken in the DEVILS Lake land
district, aud is well settled. White
farm houses have already taken the
place of the tar paper shanty and sod
shack, and a general appearance of
solid thrift is observable.
Arriving at Church's Ferry, nine
teen miles from the lake, We leave
the cars and take private convey
ance, for though q branch of the Man
itoba Railroad is graded to Cando
the rails are not yet laid. Soon
seated behind spanking team, we
are rapidly lessening the seventeen
miles between us and our destination
One mile north we skirt the shores
of Lake Isabel, a body of water foul
and one-half miles in length, and
through which the Big Coulee rum
in times of high water. Here arr
extensive natural meadows, from
which much hay is taken every year
Three or four miles to the northeas
is Lac Aux Morris, the Lake of Deaths
so named from a catastrophe, which
many years ago overlook a compan!
of half breeds who, wintering on al
island in the lake, ran short of pro
visions and persisted from starvation
Their graves can now be seen hiddei
among the tall grass, which annually
covers the island. Strange, that un
der civilized dominion, this is nov
one of the most prolific parts OF tn
country for food production. W
are now in the midst of the Big Cou
lee country, Which has the name {
being one of the best farming SEE
lions in the Northwest, and well doe
1t deserve its reputation. The Ian
spreads out in long, level lines, TO ID
limit of vision, and is, ifpossible, ricl
er than any we have yet seen.
ride of two hours and we are at Car
do, the capital of Towner COUNTY
We are here but fifty-five miles froI
the Turtle Mountains, which indicaI
their proximity by the quantities {
good body oak wood from the
slopes, for sale here at 50 per corr
This county being heretofore remol
from the railroad, has settled moi
slowly than other sections, the popI
. lation by the last census being TOO
: nearly all In the southern part. Pull
| TIC lduu Is duuHudhlj anu Jul OoSi
be had within two or three miles
the county seat. Whole townships
: land in the north part of the count
5 of the best quality, have not an &C
taken. Lake Des Roches, twenty-fi
: miles north of Cando, is twenty mil
I long by two or three wide, aud maj
good farms can be taken along
banks. Returning, we curved out
the west, TO get out of the line of sc
7 Element and see the public lands. v
: found the country decidedly mo
9 undulating than that passed over
z the morning, though with the exec
= ton of boulder here and there, I
), soil seems quite as good. Lakes are II
u at frequent intervals and hay inca
l. ows are on nearly every quarter 81
u ton. With the railroad now assur,
|. and within two or three miles d
II lance, the end of the coming yC
u will doubtless see much of this la
u taken by sturdy farmers from
j. East, bent on securing themsel'
II homes in country where land eql
u to the best to be had in their count
u can be had for the asking.